Connecticut’s African American families are facing a health, education and employment crisis that’s far worse than the rest of the population

In Connecticut, African American children are seven times more likely to live in poverty than white, non-Hispanic children, and these stark poverty rates are only intensified during times of economic upheaval.

The current State’s overall unemployment rate is above 7%, yet for African Americans it is well over 12%. – and in education Connecticut trails every other state in attempts to bridge the educational achievement gap.

Mortality rates for African American women are higher than any other racial or ethnic group for nearly every major cause of death, including breast cancer.

Today Where We Live – we’ll preview a daylong panel discussion about the State of Black Connecticut. We’ll be joined by civic leaders – and you can join the conversation.

It's been only 45 years since the Civil Rights Act, and the generation that tenaciously held on to segregation and the residual racism is alive and well. Certainly their values were passed on to their children. I''m from SC and have observed that racism is more subtle in the north but just as vicious and discriminatory in the social, political and educational context. African Americans are the only group in all of human history that was released from 400 years of slavery without any compensation -a golden opportunity missed to aide people to restoration and dignity. The 40 acres and a mule was a broken promise.

The fact of the matter is that the African American problem is everybody's problem. We can relocate, isolate and stigmatize, but in the wisdom of ML King, Jr, "We are all caught in an inescapble network of mutuality tied to a single garment of destiny, and whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

I would love to see an honest dialog on race, however my feeling is that many white people will choose not to participate if they feel they will be chastised for their opinions if they are contrary to popular "anti-racism" beliefs.